He was a senior monk in the monastic order.He came into the order in 1949. He spent four yearsin the physical presence of Paramahansa Yogananda.He was the epitome of simplicity and humility. He hada nonchalant way of expressing himself. He saidthat we have to be casual about everything thathappens to us during the day-casual and nonchalant.Calmness and evenmindness are the alter of God.Hold on to poise in all circumstances.

Once someone was talking with him and said he could talk all day. Brother replied: that he couldn't.

He.was asked how he went so far so quickly in a spiritual sense.He replied that he minded his own business. So often we have opinions.We need to correct this. He would listen to people and say:"Is that so" He would not agree or disagree. He would justacknowledge what had been said. This maintainsevenmindedness and you avoid getting involvedwith the drama. Just listen. You do not have buy into what others say.You don't have to be drawn into someone elses emotional drama. We need to get out of our head andinto our heart. ♥

As we have such lovely posts from devotees graced to be with Brotherji Bhaktananda,can we make a new sub-section titled, SRF Monastics, then Brother Bhaktananda ?

We could also then do similar for some of the talks or satsangs given by other SRF monastics -- Brother Ishtananda, Bramachari, etc.

Just an idea to consider... I would like it because it would help me find all the entries on Brotherji in one organized area...

Hey Namaste2All I edited the section entitled: Recordings under Paramahansa Yogananda and put SRF Monastics as part of the title. We could have child boards for various speakers. This is going to take some service to move everything to that area. What do you think about the wayit is initially?

I moved to Michigan after being with him off and on for years. It surprised me when he wrote to me asking me how i was doing and gave me a couple of suggestions. I have found many SRFers uncommunicable in my life but not him. I did not even write to him. He initiaited the communication. He is one of those people that you never quite realize what he meant to you... because it was so much.

i asked him several questions about life and he always would pause a moment and then answer. He always had an answer. Sometimes in a few words you knew that he knew much about you. I feel that he and Amma were the most realized people I ever met in person during my lifetime.

It is always a blessing to meditate with other people. I had the chance to be in his presence quite often when he led meditations. He often would lead us, as other monks have, into guided meditations.

For years here in this culture in the United Clones I always heard people talking about others who talked to themselves in a disdainfull manner.

One important feature I remember about Brother Bhaktananda's advice is that he quite frequently would tell us that we should talk to our Selves. Some of the examples he used: When you rap your skull during energization tell all the little brain cells to wake up. When you have problems with your mind during meditation with too many thoughts tell your mind to settle down now! When you talk to God in the language of your heart think of a mouth in your heart and say 'I Love You Lord'!

He told us that he used say over and over 'I love you' inwardly towards the Guru. Once the Master actually walked up to him and said; 'I Love You Also.'

Just don't walk down the store aisles looking at me and talking like you're talking to yourself then find out you've got one of those life force energy disrupters stuck in your ear yapping at someone else.